Start of fertility testing

[Peonies94]

Anyone else at the start of fertility testing? I’ve had my first bloods and had husband is waiting for his SA. My bloods weren’t done on any particular day of the cycle, and I have no idea what rhey were looking for. I phoned for results and have been told the gp hasn’t looked at them yet, but there’s no ‘red’. I’m assuming they won’t be looking at ovulation, which I am pretty certain I’m not ovulating, as I’m only having around 3 periods a month. Currently 3 months since last period. If anyone else is around the same place in the process or could help me with what they may be testing, that would be really helpful! Thank you

Awwww congratulations @Peonies94!!!! What amazing news, keeping everything crossed for a smooth pregnancy for you 😘

@Endogal thank you! Best wishes on your journey too☺️

Had my hycosy on monday, I was allowed to bring my partner on with me. I'm glad that was possible cause I did find it quite painful at first but i didnt have any cramps after the procedure was done. The doctor was really good though and explained everything. Both tubes are there and the liquid went through both of them, so they shouldn't be a problem. He also said my uterus looks normal and it's just my ovaries that have the PCO look that I already know about.
Now I have to wait for my fertility doctor to contact me to find out what's happening next. Meanwhile on the weekend there was a pregnancy announcement on the work chat which made me really sad because I did not expect it at all

@Omgdnswv I’m glad your hycosy looked good. I found the HSG ok, uncomfortable but not as bad as I was expecting. More uncomfortable a few days after with nightmare cramps, so I hope you haven’t had them. It sucks about pregnancy announcement too.

@FlyOnTheWall89 have you had your appointment yet?

I got a call from IVF clinic on Monday. I’ve got to go in for a scan on Wednesday 22nd and then we have an appointment with the consultant on the 23rd of this month. It’s all beginning to happen!

Hi @Lauralozzle yes! Yesterday. Went through the mountain of paperwork, they gave me a flow diagram and explain each step of my protocol and taught me how to inject. I'm CD24 now so can't start this month. Next month my OH is away a lot and as we are long protocol it would dominate summer, so we are starting the following month. First injection will be early august. Scan to assess lining etc will be 3rd week, then FSH (and buserelin) for a few weeks with scans every other day in week two of FSH, then EC and hopefully FET. This is all done with the fertility nurse. Are you at that step yet? Or maybe the step before if it's a consultant? X

@Peonies94 Congratulations! I hope everything is going smoothly for you and wish you absolutely the best of luck. I imagine, after everything else, it's quite an anxious time so remember to be kind to yourself.

We're just waiting. Had internal ultrasound a few weeks ago, so waiting for results from that and all the bloods etc from the consultant. Waiting for Hubby's SA at the start of July also.

@FlyOnTheWall89 That’s sounds great that you’ve got your protocol and dates for going forward.

From what I’ve read online, and what nurse told me about the referral process it’ll be scan then consultation - scan before so consultant is aware of any issues. I’m assuming scan i had before didn’t check everything.

consultant should tell us our protocol and what to expect/issues might need sorting before. Then, from what I understand, an appointment with the nurse for more bloods (hiv ones), they’ll probably weigh me again, and then (fingers crossed) call on first day of next period to start.

From other posts on here the wait from consultation and starting is about 3 months so I’m thinking it’ll probably be September time, maybe - with egg collection maybe in October. Hoping it’ll be a bit quicker than that though.

My weight has crept back up above bmi 30 (30.3) so need to get back on the diet. I’m taking my thyroid meds at night though, no eating for 4 hours before taking them, so I have finally eliminated late night snacking!

@Aqualou when is your consultant appointment?

@Lauralozzle Still waiting for the appointment. I had a telephone consultation back in Feb and was sent for basic tests that my GP basically should have done before referring me. I'm supposed to hear back with the results and next steps, but God knows when! Last test was 15th May, so I was hoping I'd at least have an appointment date by now.

@Lauralozzle long protocol starts on CD21 but I think short starts on CD1. Hopefully your wait isn't too long. We might be around a similar time! Let me know when you've got your protocol and we can compare notes 🤗. I'm happy we can keep trying all the way through and don't need to stop trying the month we start the injections. Keeping everything crossed!!!!! Xx

@Aqualou hopefully you hear something soon. They might be waiting on you OH SA before final consultation??

@FlyOnTheWall89 I assume I’ll probably be long protocol because no-one has said anything about PCOS which I think is one of the reasons some do short. They’ve always said there’s nothing wrong with my egg reserve later. I think the scan is for AFC, I just hope they can find my right ovary they couldn’t locate it on my internal last time, something about it being hidden behind my bowel.I suppose there’s no point sitting there wondering though lol, suppose I’ll find out later this month. I will let you know, our cycles could be quite close!!

How is everyone?

So, I had my IVF consultation yesterday. Thought I’d provide an update.

Everything is effectively on hold until my Thyroid and prolactin levels are within normal range. I have repeat bloods on 13th July which is six weeks after I’ve been taking a low dose of thyroxine to see what my levels are. Fertility consultant said that thyroid and prolactin can be linked, to I need my prolactin levels checked as well. I’ve messaged my GP surgery asking for bloods for prolactin, waiting for them to get back to me about that.

once I have my results, I need to let my IVF clinic know what they are. If they’re in normal range, we can then do rest of the paperwork, consent forms etc, more bloods and then start on cycle day 21. She said the process will take about 2 months so long protocol.

if they’re not normal and GP is funny about increasing the dose, she said they’ll do a prescription for me for higher dose. Then it’ll probably be another 4-6 week wait for another blood test to check levels.

I feel like I’m in the exact same position I have been in all year to be honest, more waiting, but at least there is a goal and plan at the end of it.

my scales and their scales don’t agree so I need to lose a few lbs as according to their scales my bmi is 30.2 (on mine it’s 29.9) so in the meantime I can concentrate on that, I guess.

My left ovary is all good, they saw about 11 follicules. Right ovary is basically dud, small and they only saw one very small follicule. No surprise that that is the ovary they struggle to find behind my bowel and that is the side I can get cramps from. I’m still officially unexplained but I still reckon I have endo and that it has ruined my right ovary. All my hopes are pinned on the left one.

Amh is 13. Something so it’s normal, but on low side of normal and doc dud say it’s what they would expect with follicules they spotted.

womb is all good. Lining is all good.

Because we’ve been trying for nearly 3 years it’ll be ICSI if we get less than 10 eggs, if we get more it’ll be half IVF half ICSI. I’m pleased about that, I had images of sperm and egg not playing ball in plain IVF.

So, a lot to update on, but basically in limbo land until my thyroid and prolactin levels are normal. Who knows how long that could take!

@lauralozzle I am so sorry there's still so many tests getting in the way, but at least there seems to be a plan at the end of it! It's a shame about the ovary, definitely sounds like endo I have it and get cramps from both, worst from the side they found the worst on originally, but hopefully they'll get some good eggs from the other 🤞🏼 keeping everything crossed for positive results from your thyroid medication so the IVF ball can get rolling as quickly as possible!

I am bang in the middle of the TWW, luckily have ovulated for a third time but it still doesn't feel real and I live in constant fear it won't come around next month and I will never ever hear back from fertility clinic who were supposed to contact me 2 months ago 😭 think I need to work on my mindset a bit, this time last year I'd have given anything to be in this position and to at least have a chance but it's just all so consuming.

Seem to be very hormonal this TWW, boobs ramped straight up to day before period pain a day after ovulation and it's usually more gradual and I feel completely wiped out and agitated. Caught between desperately praying I'll get a BFP this month and wanting my period to come now if its going to anyway because I don't think I can cope with this for another week 🤣

Sounds like everyone’s still playing the waiting game for one thing or another but I guess that’s the whole frustration with ttc!

I am currently taking month 3 of letrozole and really frustrated with my clinic.

I had a day 21 test month one and confirmed ovulation which I was really pleased with but no success conceiving. My results were really good according to them.

My consultant phone appointment after month 2 lasted 4 minutes, I asked them if I had ovulated so well month 1 , what did they thing could be preventing us from conceiving, he said he didn’t really know.

They won’t give me monthly day 21 bloods to confirm I am ovulating every month.

I asked if I would monitored cycles or any scans or tigger injections for the last 3 months of treatment to see if they can find anything , as 6 months is the limit on this treatment. They said no.

Basically Iv just been told to carry on until month 6 , completely unmonitored and then talk next options.

I desperately want this to work as technically now I’m ovulating there’s nothing “ wrong” with me but I’m losing hope with each month we don’t conceive :(

Hi @Lauralozzle - sounds frustrating but you now have a really clear timeline and in the meantime, you just keep trying and you never know! I completely empathise with the wait just being agonising - it really is. Hope things begin to get easier very soon with improved blood work etc. sending hugs x

@Endogal its good that you’re ovulating but I can’t believe you still haven’t heard from the fertility clinic! Can you call them, and ask when you’re likely to have your appointment so that you’re aware of time scales?

@Loulou2202 That’s do frustrating! Six months with no monitoring! Your consultant appointment seems pretty familiar to mine at the fertility clinic, quick look at paperwork- you ovulate, your tubes are fine, you’re SA is fine, you’re unexplained and you can do IVF on the NHS or pay for medicated IUI. Lasted 5 minutes max.
i must say, the consultant at care once I’d been referred was lovely. Nice long convo, she showed me my scans cause I was a bit anxious during it and didn’t want to look at it in case they couldn’t find my ovary and I totally freaked out! Was speaking for 45 minutes, it was a much better experience.

Fingers crossed now that you’re ovulating everything is ok and you’ll get your BFP although I totally get why you feel down as well.

@FlyOnTheWall89 Yes, timescales are frustrating but I have a timeline and a plan of action. I can’t control my thyroid but hopefully it’ll be under control in the next 4-10 weeks. Looking like Autumn IVF start now though. Hopefully I’ll have had my cycle done this year though.

Hope you’re all ok. It’s feeling like the waiting thread at moment lol!

@lauralozzle I called when it first reached the date they're meant to contact you by and they said they had approx 20 week backlog 😭😭 but trying to see the positive since I am ovulating, if I'm still not pregnant by the time it comes around they can hardly send me away to carry on trying without doing/testing anything at that point!

@Endogal Sounds similar to me, at the Hycosy I was told to contact my doctor if I don't hear back within 2 weeks, after 2 1/2 weeks I tried calling and did not get through at all, not even into the phone queue, so I sent an email and the next day I got an answer saying there's a wait list for follow up appointments and I'll be contacted once I'm at the top of that list. No clue given as to how long that might be, which is annoying, but after the initial referral I only had to wait 1 month before I got contacted, so I'm hoping once again it's not as bad as I think it'd be.
Meanwhile my periods vary quite a bit in length, but the last two were around 50 days and 35 days (so way less than 70 days most of last year). I'm also noticing changes with the shortened periods, more cramps and lower back aches, which make me wonder if that means I might be ovulating as I never usually had any side effects with my periods. It also seems to affect my emotions a lot, around my period I am a lot less affected by seeing cute kids or kid things, almost as if my body says "no need to make her crazy for kids right now, the egg has gone already this cycle". And at the end of my period I get super clingy, wondering if my body wants me to start trying almost immediately (which we do anyways, but given my length it's probably waaay too early have any chance).

Please feel free to scroll on if you need to guys I won't be offended if you need to protect yourself...

But I think I've just got my BFP! I am in absolute shock, 5 different tests are showing a faint positive but definitely there!! Honestly thought it would never happen for us, I just can't believe it! I am 10 or 11 dpo and just praying it's a sticky bean 🙏🏻

@Endogal Congratulations!! That’s fab news! 🎉

Wish you a happy and healthy 9 months

@Endogal , congratulations, I had a thought when you last posted about your symptoms this month that you might be getting your bfp ! Sending you all the positive vibes xx

@Endogal Congratulations, I hope everything continues well for you! x

@Endogal Congratulations, first Peonies94 and now you, maybe you are the start of a streak of good luck making it's way through this thread

How is everyone getting on? I just got off the follow up phone call from the hycosy 2 months ago and they are going to put me on Letrozole. The prescription and an information leaflet should be mailed to me in just a couple of days. I haven't been this excited and hopeful in a long time

Hey @Omgdnswv that’s great news , I remember feeling a new sense of hope when I started Letrozole it feels like your finally getting somewhere and there light at the end of the tunnel!

Im still the same just finished my 4th month and no luck yet unfortunately, im not hopeful it’s the fix for us even though there is technically nothing wrong with me or OH since im ovulating fine with the Letrozole and he’s got no issues.

Im sure you’ve done your research and already know that it does really seem to work for a lot of people so I really hope it does for you so please don’t let my situation dampen your excitement.

Are you going to have monitored cycles? Im not and Iv not been that happy about it because I would like to understand why it’s not working for me so far.

If you can push for monitoring if that’s not already standard in your area I really would recommend you try and get it

I only get 1 nhs funded ivf cycle in my area ( if I’m even eligible) and I feel like there’s a clearly another issue with me that monitoring might pick up that may improve ivf chances.

@Loulou2202 there will be blood tests, but no ultra sound. Not sure if it's multiple blood tests or just at the 4th month (he said he'd prescribe 4 months for now with the option to extend to 6 if needed) I couldn't always understand the doctor because of a bad phone connection, but I suspect the paper to come with it will clear it up and if not I'll just call the number on the first cycle and double check. What's weird is that this doctor said my past blood test showed problems with ovulation, but back when I did the test my GP said the values are fine and that I do ovulate.

I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you yet, letrozole does have quite good chances of success usually. I found a NHS pdf about it that said just compared to clomipheme it increases the chances of a life birth by 40-60%.
Maybe you could try to push for monitoring one more time on the hope that they give in just to make you leave them alone? And if not then maybe for you IVF would be the better option, that way they'd be able to check the eggs and sperm when they put them together, can't they?
I have a coworker who got his kid through IVF and he said its not actually as expensive as you'd think, the first cycle where they take the eggs and sperm and make the embryos is pricey but as long as they have "leftover" ones ready to implant it's less money.
I don't know how many cycles we would get paid here, all I know is that we'd have to wait another year and a half ish before we are eligible for NHS funded IVF so I'm really really hoping for letrozole to do it's thing.